Our Review

John Lewis offer a range of sheer tights from the 7 denier Barely There, through the 10 denier Smooth to this the 15 denier Sleek. All follow the same basic pattern of three smaller sizes with a bikini panty and an XL with a boxer brief and all come in at around the same price point.  As well as being sold through John Lewis Department stores they are widely available though the Waitrose supermarket chain.

Both pricing and presentation/packaging are more branded hosiery than supermarket and at the time of writing they are made in the EU in Spain rather than in the Far East.

Wow.. sleek indeed!  The good impressions from the packaging are reinforced by the way the tights flow smoothly into your hand from the packet. 

A more technical inspection reveals a reinforced toe detail with a run-stop to prevent holes in the toe running into the leg.  The legs are shaped at the heel and sheer all the way to the bikini panty detail which is styled high on the hips. The panty has flat seams and a cotton lined gusset, the heavier panty detail overcomes the need for any strengthening either side of the seam and the need for a finger band to give a strong transition to the deep plain waistband.

Sizing is based on a combination of dress size and height and it is absolutely spot on.  We are very pleased that John Lewis have realised that the same tights won’t give the same fit on a tall slim woman as they will on a shorter more fuller figured lady even if their body volume below the waist is the same... Major brands take note!

The finish on the leg is smooth and shiny both to the eye and to the touch and the panty is just opaque enough and pretty enough to allow you to wear without underwear... the flat seams should not show under clingy skirts.

Our one criticism is that the perfect even colour of the legs is spoiled by a darker band at the very top of each thigh where the panty begins to be knitted in.  Not something you see a lot but a disappointment after the high quality elsewhere.

If you shop at John Lewis or Waitrose you really should be putting these tights in your bag!

5 October 2010

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